Love Is Harmony, Even In Discord, and 
Discord Is The Harmony Of The Universe

Simon O'Rourke

Originally published in Perth Lodge Link magazine Aug 2020. Revised 2024.

This title is made up of two separate sayings. The first, “Love is harmony, even in discord” comes from an episode called The Tide, from the well known TV series Kung Fu. That show’s developers borrowed heavily various aphorisms from Asian spiritual cultures, particularly the Tao Te Ching, attributed to the ancient Taoist philosopher and sage Lao-tzu. The second, “discord is the harmony of the universe”, is from the Mahatma Letters (ML 120), written by, as termed by HP Blavatsky, one of the inner founders of the Theosophical Society.

To form a Nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity

Both sayings refer to the idea of Brotherhood, the most important idea placed as the First Object of the Theosophical Society. Namely; “To form a Nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste, or colour.” That nucleus was begun with those few dedicated founders who formed the Society with unselfish love and camaraderie. Further, the Object is a statement of action. We are asked 'to form' a Nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood not only in the beginning or the end, but at every moment. It continues to call to us to realize its existence and its integrity, one among many possible nuclei in the world. From our Society's living nucleus the strength of love may radiate out into the world unceasingly. The ever-changing quality and strength of that form will determine if it is to grow and expand to become a leading nucleus in the world, to inspire the many. And that depends very much on the membership, its quality now and in the future.

It refers to “Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste, or colour.” Some would argue, that we should include into this nucleus everything that has consciousness, atoms, animals and angels. As has been stated in theosophical literature, life is consciousness, consciousness is life. However, the Objects are meant for ignorant Humanity alone. In Mahatma Letter 15, Humanity is referred to as the ‘great orphan’, constantly struggling with itself, “since there is hope for man only in man”. Why ‘great orphan’? It could be said the less developed fields for the life wave such as the mineral, plant and animal kingdoms are instinctually part of universal nature. Equally, the more developed kingdoms are intuitionally and spiritually 'at one'. Only Humanity has forgotten its spiritual heritage, needing to be reminded often that it is a part of the abstract nature of the Universe.

What does brotherhood mean?

We are a Brotherhood of course. Yet what does that word mean? It was intended to refer to all people bound together in mutual love and support, a name associated with a family relationship familiar to all (whether Sanskrit bhrátár- or Greek phratér) to emblematically indicate both the hearty depths and interconnected responsibility of that bond. Without the distinctions of race, creed, sex, caste or colour, to diminish it. It is, as stated, without the distinction of ‘sex’, and therefore equally gender-neutral and yet gender-inclusive.

By ‘sex’ we mean: “Either of the two main categories (male and female) into which humans and most other living things are divided on the basis of their reproductive functions.” Oxford English Dictionary (https://www.lexico.com/definition/sex).

“Organisms of many species are specialized into male and female varieties, each known as a sex. Sexual reproduction involves the combining and mixing of genetic traits: specialized cells known as gametes combine to form offspring that inherit traits from each parent.” Wikipedia. Technically we could add Hermaphrodites and Androgynes.

These are biological terms while gender tends to be predominately social: “Gender is the range of characteristics pertaining to, and differentiating between, masculinity and femininity.” Wikipedia. Many people today self-identify with more than 60 different gender characteristics or types. Even so, it is a sensitive issue in the community and as a result of the use of language and labels, one persons label and definition may vary considerably from another persons. So it is much kinder at a social level to accommodate and respect each and every persons view of themselves. (See https://www.healthline.com/health/different-genders#a-d)

There are no words in the English language which have quite the same all-encompassing warmth and sense of unity as “Brotherhood”. Hopefully there will be one day. The beauty of the Objects is in the simplicity of their language, utilising common well-established words which require little or no explanation to all who will consider them.

If we add the word “Sisterhood” then the phrase ‘without distinction … of sex’ is confused and distorts the original intention. And which is placed first? A dilemma for the ages! If we add the numerous variations of gender then the meaning is diluted. According to EtymologyOnline.com: Sibling comes from Old English sibling "relative, kinsman," from sibb "kinship, relationship; love, friendship, peace, happiness." Brother and sister are male and female siblings. A Sibling relationship “tends to be more egalitarian and symmetrical than with family members of other generations. Furthermore, sibling relationships often reflect the overall condition of cohesiveness within a family.“ Wikipedia. Unfortunately it is not as popularly supported and understood at this time.

Kinship, with a similar root meaning as gene, may mean family, tribe or race. It is by nature hierarchical. It is generational. Yet may also exclude widows and divorcees not linked by blood. However, in brotherhood (brothers-sisters) there are only fraternal equals.

“Equality is Friendship, Friendship is Equality”

Egalitarianism is an important quality in the concept of Brotherhood. Equality highlights the common condition, we being the mortal children of the parent divine. We begin as sons and daughters of Man, the thinker, and rise to become sons and daughters of the Gods. This concept is a key element of several traditions. In Ancient Greece, “many other mythologists informed us that the chiefs of the Gods even were anxious to claim for themselves that superlative affection which, through marriage, binds children to their parents. That is why they introduced among the Gods the terms father and mother, Zeus begetting Athena, while Hera produced Hephaestus, the nature of which offspring is contrary so as to unite the most remote through friendship.” (Iamblichus: The Life Of Pythagoras). While respecting and acknowledging our differences, and contrary natures, the principle of equality strengthens our bonds. Pythagoras reportedly said “Equality is Friendship, Friendship is Equality” (Iamblichus: The Life Of Pythagoras).

Harmony is love and love is harmony, in other words, "even in discord.” It may possibly mean, from one point of view, united in spite of our differences. However, it would be truer to say united and stronger by the merging of our differences, like the Knights of the Round Table, or the points of the Astrological Wheel. What are contraries and similarities but the harmonious and discordant aspects of the wheel. Four elements, earth, water, air and fire representing three harmonious triangles, such as Aquarius, Libra and Gemini which are harmonious to each other. These are pleasing and yet in relationship powerless.

And we have three astrological crosses, representing the discords. The crosses represent the three archetypal qualities of Will (the fixed cross, Leo, Aquarius, Taurus and Scorpio), Wisdom (the mutable cross, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces and Gemini) and Intelligence (the cardinal cross, Libra, Capricorn, Aries and Cancer). These are difficult and yet above all powerful. These contraries represent balance, or justice. The acquisitiveness of Taurus is balanced by the decluttering of Scorpio, the emptiness and love of essence associated with Scorpio is balanced by the fullness and love of beauty of Taurus, and so on.

Points on a great wheel

In a similar way, the members who come into the Theosophical Society, and who work together in a brotherhood are points on a great wheel. No doubt many of these through karmic associations in the past. If we study the work of the Great Ones and the principles of Karma, the conclusion is that we come into the Society, at different places around the world, to fulfill the requirements to make smaller wheels that help in the work, “… the purpose we have all at heart, namely the dissemination of TRUTH through Esoteric doctrines, conveyed by whatever religious channel, and the effacement of crass materialism and blind prejudices and skepticism.” (ML120)

"The converging lines of your karma have drawn each and all of you into this Society as to a common focus, that you may each help to work out the results of your interrupted beginnings in the last birth. None of you can be so blind as to suppose that this is your first dealing with Theosophy? You surely must realize that this would be the same as to say that effects came without causes." (Letters from the Masters of the Wisdom, Series I, letter 4).

This means the weaknesses and character flaws of one person in that wheel are balanced by the character strengths, or the physical, moral and intellectual virtues, of another. And the weaknesses of that person are equally balanced by the strengths or virtues of yet another in the group.

Those discordant aspects are very difficult and there may be many arguments and even squabbling. But no matter how difficult, the success of the group will always rely on those who are capable of working together. When people are forced out of the group, it is not unlike removing an organ from the spiritual organism. An incomplete wheel slowing to a stop. There is some relief but no joy. As a broken group, the members are weaker. Though more in peace because more alike, their weakness may be exposed to a problem or event that creates long lasting pain and suffering, which eventually tears at the effectiveness of the group.

"The golden mean is the virtue"

We are most vulnerable being unbalanced within ourselves. While pursuing the qualities of character we believe make us better human beings, often the qualities we like most about ourselves may blind us to how those qualities affect our decisions. And it is easy to feel disdain and frustration with those who are lesser developed in the things which have touched our pride. The leader, intolerant of independent free-spiritedness; the scholar intolerant of ignorance; the financier intolerant of waste and risk, the dreamer intolerant of pushy practicality; the efficacious and logical worker intolerant of the tardiness of wider visions; the martyr intolerant of different points of view; and the networker intolerant of rejection and disorder.

Annie Besant wrote of “virtue which is a little bit in excess in the yogī. The yogī is not attacked through their vices, but through their virtues; for a virtue in excess becomes a vice. It is the extremes which are ever the vices; the golden mean is the virtue. And thus, virtues become tempters in the difficult regions of the astral and mental worlds, and are utilised by the Brothers of the Shadow in order to entrap the unwary.” From the chapter ‘Dwellers On The Threshold’, Introduction To Yoga.

Evolution and the essence of unity will bring us into incarnation to develop qualities weakest in ourselves, and to fulfill individual dharma. And we come into contact during life with groups with which we realise we have responsibilities related to group dharma. There is the sense that there are no accidents and there must have been some preparation to bring souls together for these endeavours. It doesn’t take a strong imagination to realise that the work of the Great Ones is then undone, the work of supporting the Theosophical Society down through the centuries, of bringing souls together to enhance the good qualities of each group, and to cancel out the negative karmic effects we are likely to produce. Like noise cancellation in sound equipment. When a sound wave which undulates meets with another sound wave which undulates, milliseconds later, so the highs of one cancel the lows of another, at 180 degrees or as opposites. Take away the second wave and the noise returns.

"Discord is the harmony of the Universe"

“Deluded victims of distorted truth, they forget, or never knew, that discord is the harmony of the Universe. Thus in the Theos. Society, each part, as in the glorious fugues of the immortal Mozart, ceaselessly chases the other in harmonious discord on the paths of Eternal progress to meet and finally blend at the threshold of the pursued goal into one harmonious whole, the keynote in nature.” (Italics added, ML 120)

In ancient times, there were and are four great virtues or strengths of character, Fortitude, Temperance, Prudence and Justice. These teach power, self-control and mindfulness, particularly in our physical, emotional and mental experiences. Yet the king of all is Justice because this relates to motive and governs all of our relationships, leading to Wisdom, and can never be perfect until the other three are fully developed.

“Every Western Theosophist should learn and remember, especially those of them who would be our followers—that in our Brotherhood all personalities sink into one idea—abstract right and absolute practical justice for all. And that, though we may not say with the Christians, “return good for evil”—we repeat with Confucius, “return good for good; for evil—JUSTICE.” (ML 120)

"Err on the side of mercy"

This may seem like a hard saying. We do not have the right to take an eye for an eye, which falls to the impartial law of Karma, Necessity (Ananke) or Sowing and Reaping. “So long as one has not developed a perfect sense of justice, he should prefer to err rather on the side of mercy than commit the slightest act of injustice.” (K.H. from Letters Of The Masters Of The Wisdom, Series II no. 131. Always Justice tempered with Love.

Justice is non-judgemental and represents collective well-being. The well-being and harmony of the family, of the community in which we live, of the spiritual community in which we have our responsibilities, and in the world. If Justice is impersonal and consistent, then the love one gives to the world is the same as that which one gives to the family. The greater our sense of true Justice, and of adhering to the principles of Brotherhood, then the closer we are to unity.